MANILA, Philippines - "I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death," Jesus Christ said as found in the New King James Version(NKJV) Revelation 1:18.

After Jesus rose from death, His disciples proclaimed Christ's resurrection and Lordship in Jerusalem. The people believed Him and the Christianity won and has spread to the whole world.

The celebration of Easter Sunday today marks the time to think about the “new life” that we have in Jesus. The Philippines as a Christian nation joins the world in this festive event called "Linggo ng Pagkabuhay."

Why did the early Christians, who were all Jewish, change their day of worship from the Sabbath to Sunday (the day of Christ's resurrection)? The resurrection of Jesus Christ validates Christianity, and gives Him, and His teaching, the highest authority.

Surprisingly, the word “Easter” only appears in the KJV Bible one time in the verse Acts 12:4. A better translation of the Greek word “Pascha” used in Acts 12:4 is Passover.

Christians celebrate Easter Sunday and many call it the day of Resurrection. The resurrection of Jesus the Messiah is of great importance to the history of mankind.

Let’s look at these 10 best Bible quotes about Easter and see how the Bible shows us that Jesus truly did rise from the dead.

Mark 16:9 KJV (Mary Magdalene) Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.

Matthew 28:8-10 (the other women) So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”

Luke 24:34 (Simon Peter) saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!”
Mark 16:12 (the two men on the road to Emmaus) After these things he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country.

John 20:19-24 (eleven of the Apostles) On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.” Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came.

John 20:25-26 (all twelve Apostles 8 days later) So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”

John 21:1 (seven by the Sea of Tiberias) After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way.

1 Corinthians 15:6 (more than 500; dead and alive) Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep.

1 Corinthians 15:7 (James) Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles.

Acts 1:3, 9 (the twelve at the ascension) He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God … And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.

Acts 26:25-26 But Paul said, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words. For the king knows about these things, and to him I speak boldly. For I am persuaded that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this has not been done in a corner…”

Meanwhile, here's the Easter Song by Keith Green (Video courtesy of Youtube):